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The Force of Nature

Last weekend we had a scheduled visit to the North Norfolk
coast. When we arrived we were amongst a small crowd watching the force of the
third tidal surge buffeting the sea defences and promenade of Cromer
seafront. The waves were reaching in excess of nine metres high.

We had
heard that the pier was closed and Twitter had documented evidence and eye
witness reports the night before. Some had likened the devastation to a war
zone. Having never experienced that, I wouldn’t like to pass judgement but I
would say it was a very sobering site, the next morning.

Chalets had been broken up like kindling.

Doors and windows
had been ripped off and the contents had been swept to all places east and
beyond, twisted and mangled beyond recognition and use.

The Theatre was unusable, with the sea flowing into the bar.
The Christmas show had only just started for the season.

The summer turned out to be a good one, weather wise,
and I hope that income had mirrored this. I imagine that all profits will now
have to be ploughed into replacing and repairing. The misery was etched in the
faces of those picking and clearing through the debris.

Linking back to the Cromer Christmas Show, the saying ‘the show must go on’ seems very apt,
because that is what has happened. A week later, and with obvious determination
and stoicism, the show has re-opened and is reaching the end of its second
performance as I type this post.

So, this weekend, we will return to North Norfolk and
support the local shops and hostelries, in an effort to make all the hard work
a little worthwhile.